The Phantoms of the Foot-Bridge, and Other Stories

"The Phantoms of the Foot-Bridge, and Other Stories" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a group of tales from the late 1800s that looks at supernatural ideas and what it means to be human, often focusing on country life in the Appalachian area. The book creates a mysterious and odd feeling with detailed descriptions and characters who deal with both real-world and otherworldly events. In the first story, "The Phantoms of the Foot-Bridge," Simeon Roxby and his quiet friend talk about the ghosts of an old bridge over a deep valley. Roxby tells scary stories of ghosts linked to the bridge, like a mother who lost her child there and now sadly roams around remembering. The story mixes local beliefs with the beauty of nature, showing how everyday life and the supernatural contrast as Roxby tells of different ghosts seen over the years, making for a gripping tale of loss and lingering spirits.